$2 million goes on the line in the 2022 Inglis Millennium; one of ten races on Saturday’s program at Royal Randwick.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course on Inglis Millennium Day, and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 12:25pm – Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m)
A couple of genuine Golden Slipper contenders typically come through the Lonhro Plate every season and some classy juveniles have accepted again this year, including Lady Laguna.
Lady Laguna stamped herself as a filly to follow with an eye-catching performance and win on debut over 100m at Eagle Farm in November, and she franked that effort with another dominant win at Rosehill before going for a break.
James McDonald jumps into the saddle for her return and she can keep alive her unbeaten record.
Race 2 – 1:00pm – Highway Handicap (1200m)
He has drawn awkwardly, but Ahead Start is a noted fresh performer, and I am happy to roll the dice on him at Randwick on Saturday.
Ahead Start has been a great horse for the Danny Williams stable throughout his career, and he has almost exclusively raced in Highway Handicaps throughout his last couple of preps.
His fresh record currently stands at 3:2-1-0, and the booking of James McDonald certainly doesn’t hurt his chances.
Race 3 – 1:35pm – Midway Handicap (1600m)
Pecuniary Interest didn’t quite measure up in Listed company last time out, but his form otherwise this time has been faultless, and dropping back to a Midway Handicap should prove ideal for him this weekend.
The John Sargent-trained gelding recorded consecutive wins in Midway races when first and second-up this time, and there is no doubt that he steps out this week in peak order.
With even luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 4 – 2:10pm – Ranvet Sprint (1000m)
Wisdom Of Water looks to have recaptured his best form, and he looms as the galloper to beat in Race 4 on Inglis Millennium Day.
The Headwater entire stripped fitter with a few competitive efforts earlier in his prep, and he was rewarded for his condition when returning to winning form in the Wyong Magic Millions 3&4YO race.
He franked that effort with another dominant win, this time in the lucrative Magic Millions QTIS on the Gold Coast last time out, and this looks to be a drop in class from that contest.
Race 5 – 2:45pm – Davali Thoroughbreds Cup (1600m)
One of the day’s more intriguing contests comes up halfway through the program, and there is a case to be made for many in this race over a mile.
That being said, I thought that there was a lot to like about Yukon’s resuming effort in a similar race over 1400m, and he harbours plenty of upside.
Yukon has been a consistent performer for the Hawkes stable throughout his career, and kept on to the line when third, beaten a length by Bring The Ransom here a fortnight ago.
The rise in trip suits and I am confident that he is up to the task under Chad Schofield.
Race 6 – 3:25pm – Inglis Millennium (1100m)
A lucrative purse goes on the line in the Inglis Millennium, but betting suggests that it is a race in two between the undefeated Sejardan and Paris Dior.
It’s obviously tough to argue with an unbeaten record, but I thought that Sejardan’s recent trial left a little to be desired, and I am going to side with Paris Dior’s fitness edge.
Paris Dior raced home well to finish second, beaten a head on debut at Warwick Farm, but she absolutely destroyed them at Canterbury last time.
Given, this is a substantial rise in class, but she harbours plenty of improvement, gets into the race well as a filly and will be steered by James McDonald.
Race 7 – 4:05pm – Vinery Handicap (1300m)
Joviality only just missed in a race not dissimilar to this one when resuming, and she looks well placed to go one better on Inglis Millennium Day.
The Chris Waller-trained mare didn’t show a lot last time in and she was sent back to the paddock after beating only one runner home here at Randwick in July.
The team and connections have been patient with her, however, she returned a few nice trials ahead of her return, and she was unlucky not to strike when fresh.
She too harbours plenty of improvement and this looks the perfect race for her.
Race 8 – 4:45pm – Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m)
There is only a month until some of the country’s best three-year-olds contest the Randwick Guineas, and the traditional path kicks off on Saturday with the running of the Eskimo Prince Stakes.
Paulele absolutely smoked them when resuming last time in, and I am confident that he is the one to beat first-up on Saturday.
The Dawn Approach colt was eased up on the line in The Rosebud first-up in spring but was still nearly three lengths ahead of his rivals, and he continued to race well throughout his campaign that was highlighted by another easy win in the Group 2 Roman Consul at this track and trip.
He’s had the benefit of a trial leading up to this race, and he is my best bet on the program.
Race 9 – 5:25pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m)
This looks to be another wide-open contest with several winning chances engaged, including Lancaster Bomber.
Lancaster Bomber is as tough as they come, and he has picked off several races like this one throughout his career, whilst rarely returning a poor effort.
He was typically strong through the line when second here a fortnight ago, he gets some relief in the weights under Tyler Schiller, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Yarraman Park Handicap (1600m)
This looks the perfect Saturday race for Lackeen.
Lackeen has returned to the races in typically competitive form this time, recorded two wins and a minor from his five starts back.
He gets into this race well, he’s drawn ideally under Kerrin McEvoy, and a repeat of his last-start performance and win here would see him right into the finish once more.
